---
title: Earthquake Insurance | Get a Quote | PJ&C Insurance
description: Get a quote on earthquake insurance with PJ&C Insurance. Explore our tailored insurance options for residents of AL, GA, MS, NC, SC, LA, TN, KY, FL, TX, NV, CA, CO, KS, OH, and DC today.
---

For more than 50 years, Pepper, Johnstone & Company has been trusted with insuring families and businesses. We partner with 60+ insurance companies so that you can consider options that provide the most appropriate protection.

# Earthquake Insurance

from Pepper, Johnstone & Company

**Two Important Things About Earthquake Insurance:**

1. Most home insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage.
2. Even if you live in an area where earthquakes are not common, you may still need earthquake insurance.

Earthquakes have occurred in 39 states since 1900, and about 90% of Americans live in areas considered seismically active. For many of our clients in Alabama, earthquake insurance can be inexpensive. [contact us](/contact) to find out what the costs would be for your home.

### Earthquake Insurance Options

Most [home](/insurance/personal/homeowner-insurance), [condo](/insurance/personal/condo-insurance) and [renters insurance policies](/insurance/personal/renters-insurance) do not cover damage caused by an earthquake, but coverage can be purchased as an endorsement or a separate policy. You may be able to choose to purchase earthquake insurance from the same company that provides your [home insurance](/insurance/personal/homeowner-insurance), from a specialized earthquake insurance provider, or from an independent organization such as the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).

### Do I Need Earthquake Insurance in Athens?

In all likelihood, almost the entire US would be better protected by purchasing earthquake insurance. Consider the facts:

- **In the West** - According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is a 70% probability that one or more damaging earthquakes of magnitude 6.7 or larger will strike the San Francisco Bay area during the next 30 years.
- **In the East** - The Earthquake Education Center at Charleston Southern University claims there is a 40% to 60% chance of a major earthquake somewhere in the eastern United States in the next 20 years.
- **In the Midwest** - According to the Insurance Information Institute, there's a 40% to 63% chance the New Madrid Fault (which runs through Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee) region will suffer an earthquake with a 6.0 magnitude in the next 15 years.

### Get a free quote for earthquake insurance

We'll provide you with a earthquake insurance quote from an insurer that meets your needs and your budget.

[GET A QUOTE](/insurance/personal/earthquake-insurance/quote)

[GET SERVICE](/claims-services)

* * *

### What Does Earthquake Insurance Cover?

Earthquake insurance provides coverage if your home is damaged by an earthquake. Standard [homeowner](/insurance/personal/homeowner-insurance) and [renters policies](/insurance/personal/renters-insurance) will not cover earthquake damage. Earthquake insurance is a separate endorsement you must buy and add to your homeowner or renters policy.

An earthquake endorsement generally excludes damages or losses from [floods](/insurance/personal/flood-insurance) and tidal waves – even when caused or compounded by an earthquake. However, if you experience a loss due to a landslide, settlement, mudflow, or the rising, sinking and contracting of earth, your endorsement may cover it if the damage resulted from an earthquake.

There are several options to consider when purchasing earthquake insurance, including:

- Does the policy cover only your home? Are other structures, such as garages, also included?
- Will your policy pay for the contents of your home and for additional living expenses if your home is badly damaged or destroyed?
- Are there any exclusions or limitations to coverage?
- What deductible must you pay before the insurance kicks in?

### Earthquakes Can Happen in Athens – Protect Yourself

- Make sure your water heater, gas appliances, and other fixtures are fastened securely.
- Check that bookcases and furniture are secure and fastened to walls.
- Have a family emergency plan that all family members know. Designate a meeting place outside the home where family members can gather once the danger has passed.
- Designate a distant relative or friend who can serve as a point of contact and communication for you and your family members if you get separated.
- Plan ahead. Keep flashlights, batteries, and candles on hand. Have a portable radio.
- Be sure everyone in your house knows how to turn off utilities (electricity, water, and gas).
- When shopping for earthquake insurance, ask the company to help you identify possible repairs and other improvements that will make your home safer and minimize damage.

### What to do when an earthquake strikes

If you are inside when an earthquake hits, stay inside and get under a heavy table or desk. Stay away from windows. Do not evacuate the building unless emergency personnel direct you to leave.

If you are outside, get away from buildings and power lines, and remember that stone and masonry facings can break loose and fall away from upper parts of buildings.

If you are in a car, stop safely away from structures, large trees, power lines, and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle.

Keep in mind:

- Don’t use candles until gas lines are checked. Also, check throughout your home before you use certain utilities, such as water and electric, sewage connections, and even chimneys.
- Don’t tie up phone lines except to report emergencies.
- Be prepared. Remember that you will need food and water, even for the short term. Keep your family together and stay alert for aftershocks.

Earthquake insurance needs can vary significantly – [talk to us today](/contact) to find out how to get the best price and value on earthquake insurance for you.

#### Coverage Tip

Most home, condo, renters, and landlord insurance policies don't cover damage caused by earthquakes.

Adding earthquake coverage to your policies is a good idea to ensure your property is protected.

* * *

## Frequently Asked Questions about everything insurance

### What happens if I need to file an insurance claim?

Always [contact us](/contact) first, so we can best advise you on whether filing the claim makes sense or can adversely impact your future premiums and is best for you to self-insure the loss. Don’t make the mistake of filing a small claim, since all claims stay on your claims record for 5-years, which will impact your insurance premium for a 5-year period. Let our in-house claims advocates help guide you through this process.

### What is a earthquake insurance insurance policy deductible?

The amount of loss paid by the policyholder. Either a specified dollar amount and/or a percentage of the total value. The larger the deductible, the lower the premium charged for the same coverage, since you are assuming a higher loss amount by taking a higher deductible. Insurance carriers only pay losses above the deductible amount, so if the loss incurred is not substantially above your deductible, it’s usually best to self-insure (i.e., pay the loss yourself out-of-pocket) by not filing it with your insurance carrier.

## What do people think about us? Hear from some actual clients.

![J.W. E.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/man-1.26763a560ec8c33e538d9a14d02e9af37b878ed2735807d5bbca818b43fecadb.webp)

  on Google

We recently switched our home and auto policies to Pepper, Johnstone & Co and have had a great experience. Their entire team is not only knowledgeable but down to earth and willing to share their time, tips and creative ideas. They’ve helped us to achieve to comprehensive protection at the lowest possible cost. I would recommend Pepper, Johnstone and Co to anyone.

**— J.W. E.**

![Teresa H.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/woman-1.9cb73af9c1e3961f57515ecda4c9f4e639df0eff922a19dccb73c30bfe4385f4.webp)

  on Google

I am always pleased with the gracious and prompt responses to my insurance inquiries, to my specific insurance needs regarding several policies with Pepper, Johnstone & Company. The staff, especially Lauren Hart, makes every effort to take care of my insurance needs, addressing many concerns. I could not be more pleased and feel more secure knowing these folks are taking care of business for me and in my best interest.

**— Teresa H.**

![Jeremiah H.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/man-2.f0d626a1e52b3f01c2be3c90db4d5d367c60b36ac6f55c3a5fecdb9bccc5bd8b.webp)

  on Google

Pepper Johnstone has handled my personal and business insurance needs for years. They do good work and their staff is amazing! They are independent agents so they have access to several different lines of insurance to meet the needs of their clients. I highly recommend them.

**— Jeremiah H.**

![Janet F.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/woman-2.8e76c5af7c1582529e66148a1be8aa0a919754e1706a80af3031e295450f4db1.webp)

  on Google

This is a great company to work with! Casandra did an excellent job making sure my claim was completed in a timely manner. Julie is always there to help me any time I need to make changes to my insurance needs. The staff is always professional to work with. I trust Pepper, Johnstone & Company with all my insurance needs and have for many years.

**— Janet F.**

![Russ L.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/man-3.b43c3cdfeb80d6382a553b4fec3a455754692db1f101fb39711934fad717fb96.webp)

  on Google

I started a company in January 2019 & the team at Pepper Johnstone helped me from the beginning. We serve mid-cap to large public companies in Alabama, Colorado and Texas. And, Bryan has been critical in helping us meet and maintain the required commercial insurance policies and coverage levels. Key reasons that I've been so pleased primarily include their high level of technical competence and timely responsiveness on new or changing insurance coverage requests. They do a great job & I can highly recommend them.

**— Russ L.**

![Sharon K.](https://webtricity-assets-2.wbtcdn.com/fab11678-4400-4e7b-9d4a-2a2f81685a28/images/avatars/woman-3.d6ed73e04052f6ca0a972880370cb7984efa8cba60e0be02698dd483bb838eb6.webp)

  on Google

I have dealt with Pepper Johnstone and company in the past and have always had a good experience. This past week I needed a policy, I called Julie and she efficiently, and promptly quoted and bound coverage on the property. I would highly recommend Pepper Johnstone.

**— Sharon K.**

[MORE REVIEWS](/about/client-testimonials)

## Insurance Articles

from the Pepper, Johnstone & Company blog

[**SaaS Company Insurance: What a BOP Won't Cover** — A SaaS company can sign its first enterprise contract, close a seed round and onboard a dozen employees before anyone asks whether the insurance program actually matches the exposure. — A Business Owner’s Policy covers a slip-and-fall here, a damaged server there. It does _not_ cover a client lawsuit…](/blog/saas-company-insurance-what-a-bop-wont-cover)

[**Professional Liability Insurance for Consultants & Accountants** — A client hires you for your expertise. You deliver the work, but they lose money anyway—and decide you are responsible. That scenario plays out thousands of times a year across professional services, and the costs are significant. — According to Swiss Re's 2024 Sigma report, U.S. liability claims…](/blog/professional-liability-insurance-what-consultants-accountants-need)

[**General Contractor Insurance: A Complete Coverage Guide** — In 2019, a summer storm sent a construction crane crashing through an apartment building in Dallas, killing a 29-year-old woman sitting on her couch. Four years later, a jury found the developer negligent and awarded her family more than $860 million. The crane operator walked free. — Most people…](/blog/general-contractor-insurance-a-complete-coverage-guide)

[View all articles](/blog)

## Related Types of Insurance

[— Home Insurance — for homeowners](/insurance/personal/homeowner-insurance)

[— Condo Insurance — for condominium owners](/insurance/personal/condo-insurance)

[— Landlord Insurance — for landlords](/insurance/personal/landlord-insurance)

[— Flood Insurance — for homeowners](/insurance/personal/flood-insurance)

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